Not like I thought

Summer is not turning out like I thought.  It's been pretty unpredictable, topsy turvy.  From driving to LA to see Joel, to two trips to Oklahoma, all the Homestead crises, and now Dad being sick.... I had hoped to spend more time with Adelle but I am getting her minimum time in.  I thought I'd see more of Cecelia, maybe entertain more, see Leah more....  See my Mom more.  We are supposedly going to host a couple of dinner parties, one for the admin team and spouses, and one for the entire staff!  Before school starts!  A decorator came over today and we will go look at her ideas on Thursday for furniture for the front room and the new room.  The house and yard are looking amazing!  Scott is busy, busy.  He has now cleaned out the basement and is tiling and painting it.  

Water run is going well and I still very much enjoy it.  I got a cortisone shot in my shoulder to fix the issue that brick throwing in Oklahoma caused. Need to get my knee figured out.  It swells for no reason randomly, happened yesterday after sitting too long.  I spent two days sitting in the hospital making sure Dad knew where he is and didn't try to get out of bed without help.  Now it looks like he will go to the rehab unit at Aberdeen before going home.  That's got me sad.  

Then today I found out we are losing my favorite step teacher at the gym which means no evening step classes on the west side.  So frustrating!  I have looked forward to stepping in the evenings for 15 years now!  That's got me really bummed to tell you the truth.  I do have one step class I enjoy.  I like a total body circuit ok.  I haven't been going to intensity lately.  

I miss the kids.  I even cried today!  I need to carve out a day to go see Leah.  Joel is having a super hard time financially.  Something is going on with Hannah based on a text she sent Scott but she's on a hitch so we need to wait ten days to find out. And it could all change by then.  My Mom is flying to Colorado to visit Lee's family and then going to Virginia to see her sister in law.  I guess that would be my aunt, huh, but I've only met her once when I was little.  

Wow, this blog is random.  I'm feeling melancholy lately when I should be super happy.  I am excited about the furniture.  I like water run class.  And we got to go the the lake for the 4th!  I like getting to sleep in and have my quiet time on the back patio.  Scott is keeping a good attitude about not finding a job.  All is well.  Ill try getting a good night sleep.  Always helps.  And more prayer time tomorrow.  

Oklahoma Two

     What a great experience with such an amazing group of people!  I have to say I had a very good time and I think the group did too.  There were no problems or hitches other than two wrong turns, one on the way there that resulted in a loss of 20 minutes and $1.50 per team in toll, and the other on the way home which just gave us an alternate route.  

     We gathered at the church on time and Pastor Pat talked to us about Philippians 1:27 and then prayed with us in a circle.  Most of the people who went had not been on a disaster relief mission so that was fun and this was Scott and my first time leading.  We took three vehicles with Melinda and her son, Don, his friend Victoria, and Ryan and Sarah in the van; the church van with Jay driving and most of the other people, and our van with me driving, Scott, Laura, and Deana.  We stopped in Blackwell at the Braums and started getting to know each other.  In our vehicle we listened and sang along with old Christian music including Rich Mullins and shared our stories with one another.

     We arrived at the church around 8:30 and found out they were only expecting 10 of us, not 17, but quickly decided on jobs for us to do.  Sandy and her husband and Jean, volunteers from out of state, stay at the church to organize the teams and the paperwork.  Jared from Poured Out was there along with Kevin, a National Guard volunteer.  They estimate that well over four hundred people have come to stay at the little May Avenue Weslyan church and work to help Moore.  Last week there was a group of 80 there at one time!   Ladies from the church including Melissa, the Pastor's wife, prepare breakfast and dinner for the teams.  

     We laid out our cots and mattresses and bedding and got ourselves organized with the 5 guys sleeping in the sanctuary and the 12 girls in the fellowship hall which is also where we ate our meals.  We had a meeting and Deana read a short devotion and we prayed then tried to go to sleep by about 10:30.  Even with earplugs to block the snoring and ibuprofen, it was comfortable but difficult to fall asleep.  It was also kind of fun, like a giant sleepover.

     We all got up around 7 and got our work clothes on and ate pancakes and eggs, had devotions, and met and divided up into two teams to do two jobs.  Scott assigned me to be in charge of one site and he was in charge of the other.  Three ladies stayed back in the morning to clean the church thoroughly and Jay stayed back to roof it.  These were such a blessing to the little church as three weeks ago when we stayed and there was another big storm, there were many leaks in the roof.  And the church had taken a huge beating from all the teams coming through.

     Our site was four lots in the same neighborhood our team worked in last time.  The lots had been cleared but still had small debris that needed to be cleaned up to make it really look nice for the homeowners.  So we raked and shoveled and wheelbarrowed.  My job was really mostly caretaker to be sure everyone stayed hydrated and safe.  Of course I worked alongside, also.  The hardest part was deciding when to take breaks and when to stop so that no one overheated.

     At around 11:30, I was starting to get concerned that we'd worked for three hours and no one needed to use the restroom so we decided to find air conditioning, a bathroom and food.  I had to take the group of eight in two trips to a McDonald's down the street where Melissa bought everyone lunch. While there, we met a group of volunteers from a Baptist church about 30 miles away who were also there to help.

     It heated up quickly in the afternoon and we were joined first by the ladies that had cleaned the church and then by the other half of the whole group.  Just before that, I'd sent the van with about five people to go to the restroom and cool off.  When they arrived, we sent three really hot people back to the church.  About an hour later, another group, including me had hit a wall and we returned to the church.  The last five worked another hour or so to finish up the last lot.

     That morning, Scott's group first carried some paver stones for a gal who is a hospice nurse whose home had been somewhat damaged in the storm.  She was giving the stones to another lady.  They got to hear her tornado storm and be a blessing to her.  Then they carried and placed many, many more paver stones for another gal.  Apparently at their lunch, they got to talk with another homeowner and hear her story.

     When we returned to the church, we took amazing showers in the shower trailer owned by Poured Out.  Dinner was beef with broccoli, rice, peach cobbler and brownies, prepared by the church ladies.  It was delicious.  After dinner, most of us piled in the church van and took a tour of the destruction and also went to the school site where six kids and a teacher died.  A memorial was set up there with memorial objects, messages of support and t shirts from all the groups that had come to help.  It was emotional.  There were t shirts that read about Hope for Moore that many of us purchased and later signed. 

  We met to decide the plan for Sunday.  We had a hard time deciding whether or not to go the church as there were really good reasons and those who felt strongly about working all day, and good reasons and those who felt strongly about going to church.  The suggestion and final decision was to get up really early and work in the cool morning before church, attend the church service, and then go back out and work a few hours in the afternoon.  It was a great decision all the way around.  It was awesome to work as a whole team and we quickly cleaned two more lots and then started on a large field.  Everyone was pretty jovial.  We returned to the church and attended in our sock feet and work clothes and sat up front.  I think it really blessed the congregation and Pastor to have us there.  We sang Happy Birthday to Deana and hugged many during the greeting time.  This is a small, older church in the inner city of Oklahoma City.  They plan a neighborhood block party soon that hopefully will be well attended as Moore was blessed by the teams and the neighbors had to be curious about all the activity at the church.

     After church, the team went out and worked more clearing the field of debris.  I stayed behind to clean and rest up and try to keep my sinuses from getting infected.  The team had more fun and bonding and hard work then returned around three to shower up and pack.

     The ride home was uneventful other than the wrong turn.  We stopped for a meal and arrived at the church around 10:00.

     Overall, the trip was a huge success.  Our prayer was that it be a blessing to the people of Moore, but also a great experience for the people on the team, especially those who hadn't done it before.  That prayer was more than answered.  Being able to bless the church on top of that was even better.  Both Sandy and Jarod said we were one of the best teams that had come which meant a lot.  

      Stepping out in faith, trusting Him, serving Him....He will never disappoint and even exceed our earthly expectations.  Thank You, Lord, for this trip and opportunity to grow in You.  

  

     

Getting Ready, etc

I don't know how a person can be busy and yet not busy at the same time.  I have time to rest and lots of precious morning time to do my quiet time but with Adelle, Cecelia, Homestead, water run class, parents who live out of town, and now Oklahoma, I am a busy chick.  Jesi and I are wanting to meet and it was nearly impossible to find a time.  I guess I did squeeze a little trip in to LA, didn't I?  A friend asked me yesterday if I am always on the go.  I answered her that I am either all the way up and going or flat on my back relaxing.

Yesterday I went to water run and worked 'em hard and it felt great!  Then I picked up Adelle and hurried around and we went to see Man of Steel.  It was entertaining, interesting, too long.  There were definitely parallels to Christ which made it awkward for hi. To kiss the girl, in my opinion, and then references to evolution being evil.  Interesting.  Adelle and I watched her show and I ran her home.

Then Scott and I went to a couple of meetings in preparation for the Oklahoma trip this weekend.  It's going to be quite interesting with the mix of people going.  A challenge for our leadership skills for sure, but not for God!  

Today holds step this morning to get it out of the way, a haircut, them laundry, trip to Target, packing, various chores and to do list items, Homestead small group and hopefully, some resting.  Tomorrow is meeting with Jesi, water run, last minute prep and leave for Oklahoma at 2.  

Whew!  Did I mention I am enjoying summer?

Mama

I finally got to see my Mama today!  Left at 10 this morning and drove through some rain (yuck) and had to pee horribly since I'm trying to flush my sinusus put.  Stopped twice.  Got there at noon and mom wanted to go out for lunch and dinner!  We went to Harbor Lights,  a Christian coffee shop and cafe and guess who we ran into!  Dave!  We ate a light lunch ( I had a sandwich, mom had a salad). Then we walked around an antique mall in downtown lv town.  Then we drove out to look at dave and Ronnie's new property then went to the house for a nap.  We chatted then went to the garage to look at cool trunks and some old pictures.  I took pictures because she said I can have a trunk but its hard to decide which one!  We then went to a church service planning meeting at the church.  I have to say a few things about that because it was pretty hilarious.  It was dave and mom and three other ladies.  They needed to plan the music, the hymns, all the details of the service.  They have so many private jokes and they so easily got off track that it was absolutely hilarious and amazing that they actually got the service planned on the allotted half hour!  Then Mama and I went out for dinner.  The Chinese place she wanted to go was closed so we went to a sleazy Chinese buffet.  What is it about buffets that attracts heavy people?  There were only a few people in there who were less than fifty pounds overweight.  I had to wonder what the skinny Chinese waitresses think about white all,of us are pigging out.  I ,myself, went back three times:).  It was good to spend time with Mom today.  I don't get up there near enough.  

A Change of Pace

Scott and I made a trip to Topeka today to have dinner at our old friend Eric's house.  We first stopped off and chatted a couple of hours with Julie and her puppy, Boo, then went out to,Lake Sherwood in Topeka.  Eric and his wife, Vicky, live in a nice home right on the little lake.  I didn't even know Lake Sherwood existed.  It's a nice little lake a bit larger than Wabaunsee with beautiful homes all around it.  We ate burgers on the deck then went for a ride around the lake on the pontoon boat.  Eric and Vucky have two beautiful rescue dogs, a golden and a golden chow mix and they came along on the boat.  It was a very enjoyable evening.  

Drama

I want to be sketchy since this is a public blog.....but there has been a lot of drama with the ministry I volunteer with, Homestead.  These girls are so brave to leave everything and everyone they've known to come here and start a new way of life.  They have no idea where to start and have few tools to draw on.  Many are giving up drugs and are facing pain they haven't had to feel in a long time.  They have such strong emotions they don't know how to handle.  They are just figuring out Who God is and all He can be in their lives.  It is very cool to watch them learn how to reach out to Him and how to rest in His arms but they are overwhelmed and scared and its all so new for them and so hard.  The girls really lean on each other and help each other but there is so much togetherness and they don't have all the skills they need to get along so its super stressful.  And as they resort to old, destructive patterns which don't work here, it causes drama and difficult situations for all of us.  We are exploring new territory and finding that the secular system has severe limits in helping them.  All we can do sometimes is pray with them and hold them.  They are so hungry for God and want Him so much but also don't know how to reach Him or how to accept all He offers.  And it is hard.  The house Mom, Sandy, has such a hard job and really no breaks.  God is loving the girls through her.  She makes mistakes, we all do, but the girls know she loves them.  Some meaningful quotes I've  heard from the girls lately:  After being told "I love you", one of the girls said, "I'm not used to that, I've never really had that."  After a huge rage, we were discussing strengths and pointed out that one of the gals is strong and she said, "hell yes I'm strong" then quickly teared up and said, "but I'm not really all that strong."  When I was up all night with a gal in the ER even though I felt like crap, one of the girls said, "I don't understand why you are doing this for me."  These girls are amazing.  Will you please pray for them?  They are T, C, D, S, and T.  Pray God continues to give us wisdom, too, and strength and endless compassion.  

Home

Yesterday I got up and had quiet time on the porch with Cheerios and iced coffee and was joined by Joel.  We showered up then took off for campus as he had to work.  I hung out in the coffee shop, oh, I blogged from there, and then I walked to the bookstore.  I bought Scott a coffee mug and Dad a putter cover then went back to the library.  Joel came out and said he could get off work early,  this gave us time to walk over to a market area for lunch.  We walked under the freeway to a part of LA I hadn't been in before. It felt like a foreign country.  And I was starting to feel sad about leaving Joel.

We decided to eat Thai food because the Mexican was just a bit too authentic And the other choice was burgers.  We ate and Joel,bought a Royals hat then walked the long way back to his house.  I packed and we eventually left for the airport.  Mike drove us in his car which was a huge relief because Joel is not ready for the freeway in his car and LAX can be crazy busy.  I hugged Joel hard, hugged Mike, then Joel said he got the last hug.  I went into the aiort and began my uneventful trip home through Phoenix.  It was good to see Scott and I talked all the way back to Manhattan.  The roads in Kansas are like driving on velvet compared to all the other states I drove in on my trip (6 by the way-- Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California).  

Today Scott is still,asleep and I feel lonely, tired, a bit disoriented, and happy to be home all at the same time.  I still feel like I'm with Joel, that I could just walk into his kitchen and eat my leftover Thai food or say hi to his friends.  I need to talk to him today and get settled in here.  And I need lots of sleep.  Off to teach water jog then go grocery shopping!